Moisture content of Wood?

Hi Everyone,

For an underground house of Oehler design, can anyone give me an approximate final moisture content of the walls that are in close proximity to the backfill? I need to know so I can check the MC of the planks prior to installation  to see if I'll have a shrinkage or expansion issue or preferably, no issue at all. The information should be available in the Permanent Wood Foundation manual you can download but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

Hi JP,

There is an excellent article I like to refer people to pertaining to wood:

https://bct.eco.umass.edu/publications/articles/wood-myths-facts-and-fictions-about-wood/

It's pretty well packed with good stuff.  Here's a quote:

"Wood used inside of homes as finished trim, cabinets and flooring, should be installed at a MC close to 8%. Wood used in exterior applications is a different story – it depends on where you live. In New England 14% MC is a good target. In Tucson, a 6% MC would be a better mark. The USDA Forest Products Laboratory in Madison has a pamphlet (FPL-RN-0268) listing outdoor EMC’s for about 350 cities worldwide."

As with almost all things in building, the answer depends, but I've attached the FPL-RN-0268 pamphlet and the link is:

https://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplrn/fplrn268.pdf

That being said, I wouldn't have the buried wood in contact with the soil . . .

P.S.  https://CruxHomes.com